Chapter 3. The Initial Curing Period

The initial curing period is defined in ACI 308 R as the period between placing the concrete and application of final curing.(1) As discussed above, the proper time for application of final curing is approximately at the time of initial setting. Approximate conditions during the initial curing period should be forecast prior to construction, as described in chapter 2. Activities during construction focus on verifying actual conditions and making onsite adjustments. Figure 11 summarizes major action items.

VERIFY ONSITE DRYING CONDITIONS

Evaporation Conditions

During placement operations, verify concrete temperatures, wind velocity, air temperature, and relative humidity. Inexpensive instrumentation is readily available for measuring these properties. From these data, evaporation rates can be calculated to determine whether critical drying rates exist, using the equation 4 shown in figure 6 or the nomograph from ACI 308 shown in figure 7.(4)

As discussed in chapter 2, generally speaking, evaporation rates greater than 0.3 kg/m2/h will present a problem for slip-form pavements. However, exact levels depend on the particular bleeding conditions of the job concrete.

Calculate Time of Initial Setting

Using the concrete placing temperature, the time of initial setting can be estimated, as described in the equation shown in figure 5. The time of initial setting is the optimal time for application of final curing.

EFFECTIVE ONSITE ADJUSTMENTS TO CORRECT FOR EXCESSIVE DRYING

Two onsite adjustments can be useful in reducing evaporation rates of bleed water: reducing concrete placing temperatures and use of evaporation reducers.

Concrete Placing Temperatures

Of the variables affecting evaporation rate of bleed water from freshly placed concrete, concrete temperature is one of the most important and probably the only one that can be practically applied at the jobsite for large paving operations. Cooling aggregate stockpiles, cooling mixing water, or using ice for mixing water are very effective ways of reducing concrete temperatures.

The amount of cooling that can be expected from these measures, and its probable effect
on evaporation rates, can be estimated from the calculations in ACI 305 R(5) and the
evaporation-rate nomograph in ACI 308,(4) both of which can be programmed into a
spreadsheet to simplify the calculation. The equation shown in figure 6, above,
reproduces the information in the ACI 308 nomograph.(4) The ACI 305 R calculation of
concrete placing temperature from ingredient temperatures is reproduced below in
figure 12.(5)

Evaporation Reducers

Evaporation reducers are a relatively new product developed to specifically address the condition of excessive evaporation rates. The approach is to apply evaporation reducers in sufficient quantity and frequency that the concrete does not ever lose critical amounts of water to evaporation. Application is made using the same (or similar) equipment as that used to apply curing compounds.

Evaporation reducers are water emulsions of film-forming compounds. The film-forming compound is the active ingredient that slows down evaporation of water. There is also a benefit from the water fraction of the evaporation reducers, in that it compensates to a small degree for losses of mixing water to evaporation.

Evaporation reducers may need to be applied several times, depending on the conditions. The equation in figure 13, below, yields a conservative estimate of the frequency of application for a given condition.

Figure 13. Equation. Frequency of application of evaporation reducer.

where:
F = frequency of application, h
AR = application rate, kg/m2
ER = evaporation rate of bleed water, kg/m2/h
BR = bleed rate of concrete, kg/m2/h
The constant, 0.4, is taken to be the reduction in evaporation rate affected by an
evaporation reducer. The exact value is difficult to know in the absence of test methods
and specifications, but most manufacturers claim at least a 50 percent reduction in
evaporation. Therefore, this equation is probably conservative. An application of 0.2
kilograms per square meter (kg/m2) also expressed as 5 square meters per liter (m2/L), is
a commonly recommended rate. This is also often near the maximum that can be applied
practically without runoff.

Alternative Curing Compound Practice

The relatively common practice of applying some or all of the curing compound very
soon after placing will serve as an effective evaporation reducer. However, there may be
problems associated with this practice, as described in chapter 4. If used, this practice
should be verified as part of the laboratory verification of curing compound properties, as
also described in chapter 4.